TLDR: Help me sort my options on energy efficiency/cooling of my old(er) house.
Long-time reader of this forum but rarely post. I would love some advice/thoughts. We have a 1600 sq/ft early 1970's model house in College Station, built in a "modern" fashion, i.e. shed roof design. As typical of this era house it is extremely poor with regards to energy efficiency. Huge single pane windows that face the sun (lots of them), little insulation in the attic. Old ductwork in the attic that I am sure leaks. Probably tons of air leaks around the AC vents. It does have insulation in the exterior walls (which are mostly brick, but some wood exterior). The attic is hotter than blazes. There are technically two roof vents, but NO soffit vents or gable vents. Essentially no way to pull air to vent the heat.
With the above in mind, we are about to have to replace our two small A/C's. One of them was a home warranty Goodman (1.5 ton) that only cost me the $75 service call when it was put in (8 years ago) but it has given us trouble from the moment it was installed (very poorly) and I have been told by 3 different A/C companies that the best thing to do is replace the whole system. The other A/C is a 1989 workhorse (1 ton) that blows Artic ice out of the vents but has started leaking from multiple sites. Likewise, I have 3 different companies all telling me to replace. I agree with them.
My question is this. Before I replace the A/C's I am trying to decide if other energy efficient upgrades are worthwhile. I figure it is better to do any of this stuff prior to the A/C install as this might affect what size unit I get. I have been given several recommendations to go with at least 3 tons upon replacement. Obviously, I would get a Manual J before proceeding, but assume any insulation/changes I do might affect that calculation.
Help me decide what options I should do to improve efficiency. I don't mind spending some $$ but I not trying to be "net zero." Trying to pick best bang for my buck. Help me pick from the options below (and sort based from best to worst).
A.) Air seal the attic with closed cell spray foam closing off the roof vents
B.) Add soffits and gable vents to attic to vent the attic better
C.) Replace windows with double pane low-E
D.) Add tint to current windows to improve efficiency
E.) Replace all the duct work and A/C's with high SEER rating
F.) Do none of the above, replace the AC's with 13/14 SEER accept the higher monthly utility bills (which would be lower than currently since even basic units would be better than what I currently have).
G.) Other? Open to suggestions.
Thanks for the advice!
Long-time reader of this forum but rarely post. I would love some advice/thoughts. We have a 1600 sq/ft early 1970's model house in College Station, built in a "modern" fashion, i.e. shed roof design. As typical of this era house it is extremely poor with regards to energy efficiency. Huge single pane windows that face the sun (lots of them), little insulation in the attic. Old ductwork in the attic that I am sure leaks. Probably tons of air leaks around the AC vents. It does have insulation in the exterior walls (which are mostly brick, but some wood exterior). The attic is hotter than blazes. There are technically two roof vents, but NO soffit vents or gable vents. Essentially no way to pull air to vent the heat.
With the above in mind, we are about to have to replace our two small A/C's. One of them was a home warranty Goodman (1.5 ton) that only cost me the $75 service call when it was put in (8 years ago) but it has given us trouble from the moment it was installed (very poorly) and I have been told by 3 different A/C companies that the best thing to do is replace the whole system. The other A/C is a 1989 workhorse (1 ton) that blows Artic ice out of the vents but has started leaking from multiple sites. Likewise, I have 3 different companies all telling me to replace. I agree with them.
My question is this. Before I replace the A/C's I am trying to decide if other energy efficient upgrades are worthwhile. I figure it is better to do any of this stuff prior to the A/C install as this might affect what size unit I get. I have been given several recommendations to go with at least 3 tons upon replacement. Obviously, I would get a Manual J before proceeding, but assume any insulation/changes I do might affect that calculation.
Help me decide what options I should do to improve efficiency. I don't mind spending some $$ but I not trying to be "net zero." Trying to pick best bang for my buck. Help me pick from the options below (and sort based from best to worst).
A.) Air seal the attic with closed cell spray foam closing off the roof vents
B.) Add soffits and gable vents to attic to vent the attic better
C.) Replace windows with double pane low-E
D.) Add tint to current windows to improve efficiency
E.) Replace all the duct work and A/C's with high SEER rating
F.) Do none of the above, replace the AC's with 13/14 SEER accept the higher monthly utility bills (which would be lower than currently since even basic units would be better than what I currently have).
G.) Other? Open to suggestions.
Thanks for the advice!